Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands

This executive summary by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) evaluates the economic and ecological value of Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands, emphasizing its role in carbon storage, biodiversity, and Indigenous-led conservation to help Canada and Manitoba meet 2030 protection targets.

• The Hudson Bay Lowlands in Manitoba provide a minimum of CAD 247.7 million in annual economic value through ecosystem goods and services, including biodiversity conservation, hunting, tourism, and mental health.
• The region is a globally significant carbon pool, storing an estimated 7 billion tonnes of soil organic carbon in Manitoba, which is valued at CAD 1.2 trillion.
• The area supports over 250 wildlife species, including caribou herds, seals, moose, beluga whales, and polar bears, and generates CAD 131 million in tourism revenue for northern Manitoba.
• Five Indigenous Nations—Shamattawa First Nation, War Lake First Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Fox Lake Cree Nation, and York Factory First Nation—are working to establish an Indigenous Protected Area in the region to safeguard their ways of life and lands.
• Covering over 67,000 square kilometres (approximately 10% of the province), the conservation of the Hudson Bay Lowlands would help the provincial and federal governments reach their goal of protecting at least 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas by 2030.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2025). Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-06/hudson-bay-lowlands-ecosystem-valuation-summary.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands. 2025. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-06/hudson-bay-lowlands-ecosystem-valuation-summary.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands |date=June 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-06/hudson-bay-lowlands-ecosystem-valuation-summary.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2025manitobas, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-06/hudson-bay-lowlands-ecosystem-valuation-summary.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }